Polyethylene and chlorinated polyethylene thereof

ABSTRACT

The polyethylene according to the present disclosure has a molecular structure having a narrow particle distribution and a low content of ultra-high molecular weight, so that a chlorinated polyethylene having excellent chlorination productivity and thermal stability may be prepared by reacting the polyethylene with chlorine. And, a PVC composition including the same with improved impact strength may also be prepared.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2019/017397 filed Dec. 10, 2019, which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0158328 filed Dec. 10, 2018, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0163117 filed Dec. 9, 2019, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a polyethylene which can prepare a chlorinated polyethylene having excellent chlorination productivity and thermal stability to improve impact strength of PVC compound by implementing a molecular structure having a narrow particle distribution and a low content of ultra-high molecular weight, and a chlorinated polyethylene thereof.

BACKGROUND

Olefin polymerization catalyst systems may be divided into Ziegler-Natta and metallocene catalysts, and these highly active catalyst systems have been developed in accordance with their characteristics. Ziegler-Natta catalyst has been widely applied to commercial processes since it was developed in the 1950's. However, since the Ziegler-Natta catalyst is a multi-active site catalyst in which a plurality of active sites are mixed, it has a feature that a resulting polymer has a broad molecular weight distribution. Also, since a compositional distribution of comonomers is not uniform, there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain desired physical properties.

Meanwhile, the metallocene catalyst includes a main catalyst having a transition metal compound as a main component and an organometallic compound cocatalyst having aluminum as a main component. Such a catalyst is a single-site catalyst which is a homogeneous complex catalyst, and offers a polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution and a uniform compositional distribution of comonomers, due to the single site characteristics. The stereoregularity, copolymerization characteristics, molecular weight, crystallinity, etc. of the resulting polymer may be controlled by changing a ligand structure of the catalyst and polymerization conditions.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,289 discloses a method for controlling a molecular weight and a molecular weight distribution of polymers using metallocene catalysts which are respectively supported on supports. However, a large amount of solvent and a long period of time are required to prepare the supported catalysts, and a process of supporting metallocene catalysts on the respective supports is troublesome.

Korean Patent Application No. 2003-12308 discloses a method for controlling molecular weight distributions of polymers, in which the polymerization is performed while changing a combination of catalysts in a reactor by supporting a dinuclear metallocene catalyst and a mononuclear metallocene catalyst on a support together with an activating agent. However, this method has limitations in simultaneously realizing the characteristics of respective catalysts. In addition, there is a disadvantage that the metallocene catalysts are departed from a supported component of the resulting catalyst to cause fouling in the reactor.

Therefore, to solve the above drawbacks, there is a continuous demand for a method for preparing polyolefins with desired physical properties by easily preparing a supported metallocene catalyst having an excellent activity.

Meanwhile, chlorinated polyethylenes prepared by reacting polyethylenes with chlorine are known to have better physical and mechanical properties than the polyethylene, and in particular, they can resist harsh external environments, and thus, can be used as a packing material such as various containers, fibers and pipes and a heat transfer material.

Chlorinated polyethylenes are generally prepared by making the polyethylene in suspension and then reacting with chlorine, or by placing the polyethylene in an aqueous HCl solution and then reacting with chlorine to replace hydrogen of the polyethylene with chlorine.

In order to fully express properties of the chlorinated polyethylene, the chlorine must be uniformly substituted in the polyethylene, which is affected by the properties of the polyethylene reacting with chlorine. In particular, chlorinated polyethylenes (CPE) are widely used for an impact reinforcing agent for pipes and window profiles by compounding with PVC, and are generally prepared by reacting polyethylene with chlorine in a suspension, or by reacting polyethylene with chlorine in aqueous HCl solution. This PVC compound product requires excellent impact strength, and the strength of the compound varies depending on physical properties of the chlorinated polyethylene. In the case of general-purpose chlorinated polyethylenes which are widely known at present, since a polyethylene prepared using Ziegler-Natta catalyst is applied, the uniformity in chlorine distribution is decreased in the polyethylene due to the broad molecular weight distribution and a high content of ultra-high molecular weight. There is also a disadvantage in that the impact strength is insufficient when compounded with PVC.

Accordingly, excellent uniformity in chlorine distribution is required in the chlorinated polyethylene in order to improve impact strength of PVC compound. Thus, there is a continuous demand for developing a method for preparing a polyethylene having a molecular structure with a narrow molecular weight distribution and a low content of ultra-high molecular weight.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

The present disclosure is to provide a polyethylene which can prepare a chlorinated polyethylene having excellent chlorination productivity and thermal stability to improve impact strength of PVC compound by implementing a molecular structure having a narrow particle distribution and a low content of ultra-high molecular weight, a chlorinated polyethylene thereof, and a PVC composition including the same.

In addition, the present disclosure is to provide a method for preparing the polyethylene.

Technical Solution

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a polyethylene having a crystal relaxation temperature of 110° C. or more and a relaxation time (s) satisfying the following Equation 1 is provided. T<−0.6622×M+2  [Equation 1]

in Equation 1,

T is the relaxation time of the polyethylene in seconds, and

M is a melt index (MI₅, g/10 min) of the polyethylene measured at a temperature of 190° C. under a load of 5 kg in accordance with ASTM D 1238.

In addition, the present disclosure provides a method for preparing the polyethylene.

The present disclosure also provides a chlorinated polyethylene prepared by reacting the polyethylene with chlorine.

The present disclosure also provides a PVC composition including the chlorinated polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Advantageous Effects

A polyethylene according to the present disclosure is reacted with chlorine to prepare a chlorinated polyethylene excellent in chlorination productivity and thermal stability by implementing a molecular structure having a narrow particle distribution and a low content of ultra-high molecular weight to minimize a change in crystal structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the present disclosure, the terms “the first”, “the second”, and the like are used to describe a variety of components, and these terms are merely employed to distinguish a certain component from other components.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “include”, “have”, or “possess” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, components, or combinations thereof.

The terminology “about” or “substantially” is intended to have meanings close to numerical values or ranges specified with an allowable error and intended to prevent accurate or absolute numerical values disclosed for understanding of the present invention from being illegally or unfairly used by any unconscionable third party.

For reference, “parts by weight” as used herein refers to a relative concept of a ratio of the weight of the material based on the weight of a specific material. For example, in a mixture containing 50 g of material A, 20 g of material B, and 30 g of material C, the amounts of material B and C based on 100 parts by weight of material A are 40 parts by weight and 60 parts by weight, respectively.

In addition, “wt % (% by weight)” refers to an absolute concept of expressing the weight of a specific material in percentage based on the total weight. In the above-described mixture, the contents of material A, B and C based on 100% of the total weight of the mixture are 50%, 20% and 30% by weight, respectively. At this time, a sum of contents of each component does not exceed 100 weight %.

As the present invention can be variously modified and have various forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of examples and will be described in detail. However, it is not intended to limit the present invention to the particular form disclosed and it should be understood that the present invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and replacements within the idea and technical scope of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a polyethylene capable of preparing a chlorinated polyethylene with excellent chlorination productivity and thermal stability to improve impact strength of PVC compound by implementing a molecular structure having a narrow particle distribution and a low content of ultra-high molecular weight.

The polyethylene is characterized in that a crystal relaxation temperature is 110° C. or more, and a relaxation time (s) satisfies the following Equation 1. T<−0.6622×M+2  [Equation 1]

in Equation 1,

T is the relaxation time of the polyethylene in seconds, and

M is a melt index (MI₅, g/10 min) of the polyethylene measured at a temperature of 190° C. under a load of 5 kg in accordance with ASTM D 1238.

In general, chlorinated polyethylenes are produced by reacting polyethylenes with chlorine, which means that a part of hydrogen of the polyethylene is substituted with chlorine. When hydrogen of the polyethylene is substituted with chlorine, properties of the polyethylene are changed because atomic volumes of hydrogen and chlorine are different. For example, chlorination productivity and thermal stability are further increased. In particular, the smaller and uniform the overall size of the chlorinated polyethylene particles, the more easily the chlorine penetrates to the center of the polyethylene particles, so that the degree of chlorine substitution in the particles can be uniform, thereby exhibiting excellent physical properties. To this end, the polyethylene according to the present disclosure may provide a chlorinated polyethylene having a small molecular weight distribution and a low content of ultra-high molecular weight in the molecular structure, thereby exhibiting better chlorination productivity and thermal stability.

In the conventional polyethylene, the lower the melt index (MI), the longer the relaxation time. However, since the polyethylene of the present disclosure has a low content of ultra-high molecular weight in the molecular structure, the relaxation time is short at the same melt index (MI) as in Equation 1 above. As a result, it is possible to prepare a chlorinated polyethylene excellent in chlorination productivity and thermal stability while increasing the molecular weight of the polyethylene and reducing the relaxation time, thereby improving impact strength when applied as an impact reinforcing material to the PVC compound.

The polyethylene according to the present disclosure may be an ethylene homopolymer which does not contain a separate copolymer.

The polyethylene may have a short relaxation time of about 2.0 seconds or less, or about 0.5 seconds to about 2.0 seconds. Specifically, the relaxation time may be about 1.8 seconds or less or about 0.6 seconds to about 1.8 seconds, or about 1.5 seconds or less or about 0.7 seconds to about 1.5 seconds. The relaxation time lowers the content of ultra-high molecular weight (molecular weight: 10⁶ or more) of the product to less than 2.1%, and lowers Mp to less than 100000 g/mol. Thus, the relaxation time can be about 2.0 seconds or less despite the low MI.

The relaxation time of the polyethylene may be obtained by measuring a viscosity of the polyethylene at a temperature of 190° C. and at an angular frequency of 0.05 rad/s to 500 rad/s using a rotational rheometer, and then calculating the relaxation time (s) of the polyethylene with the viscosity using a specific cross model. A method of measuring the relaxation time of the polyethylene is as described in Test Example 1 described later.

For example, the relaxation time of the polyethylene may be obtained by measuring a viscosity at a temperature of 190° C. and at an angular frequency of 0.05 rad/s to 500 rad/s using ARES-G2, a rotational rheometer, manufactured by TA Instruments (New Castle, Delaway, USA), and then calculating the relaxation time (s) with the viscosity using a cross model of the following Equation 2. η=η_(∞)+(η₀−η_(∞))/(1+λ×(Shear rate)^(m))  [Equation 2]

in Equation 2,

η is a viscosity of the polyethylene measured at a temperature of 190° C. and at an angular frequency of 0.05 rad/s to 500 rad/s using a rotational rheometer,

η_(∞) is infinite shear viscosity,

η₀ is zero shear viscosity,

the shear rate is a shear rate applied to the polyethylene and is equal to the angular frequency,

λ and m are parameters of fitting a log-log graph in which x-axis is an angular frequency and y-axis is the viscosity n to a cross model of Equation 2,

λ is a relaxation time (s) of the polyethylene, and an inverse of the angular frequency at which the viscosity n begins to decrease, and

m is a slope of the viscosity n in a region where the viscosity n decreases.

The polyethylene is prepared by optimizing a specific metallocene catalyst as described below, thereby satisfying a correlation between the melt index and the relaxation time as shown in Equation 1. And, the polyethylene is characterized by a short relaxation time in the same melt index range based on the specific melt index MI₅. This is because the polyethylene according to the present disclosure has a narrow molecular weight distribution and a low content of ultra-high molecular weight in the molecular structure. For example, the polyethylene of the present disclosure exhibits a high weight average molecular weight (Mw) of about 1600000 g/mol or more, and may have an integrated area of the ultra-high molecular weight region (Mw: 1×10⁶ g/mol or more) in a GPC curve of about 2.1% or less of an integrated area of the entire graph.

The polyethylene may have a melt index (MI₅) measured at a temperature of 190° C. under a load of 5 kg in accordance with ASTM D 1238 of about 0.55 g/10 min or less or 0.15 g/10 min to 0.55 g/10 min, about 0.45 g/10 min or less or 0.15 g/10 min to 0.45 g/10 min, or about 0.35 g/10 min or less or 0.15 g/10 min to 0.35 g/10 min. The melt index MI₅ may be about 0.55 g/10 min or less in terms of excellent thermal stability, because the viscosity becomes higher as the MI is lower and PE particles are less morphologically changed in a high temperature slurry state for chlorination.

In addition, the polyethylene may have a melt flow rate ratio (MFRR_(21.6/5), a value obtained by dividing the melt index measured at 190° C. under a load of 21.6 kg by the melt index measured at 190° C. under a load of 5 kg in accordance with ASTM D 1238) of about 10 to about 18, or about 12 to about 16.

The polyethylene of the present disclosure is characterized by having a high crystal relaxation temperature (CRT) in addition to the relaxation time described above.

The crystal relaxation temperature of the polyethylene may be about 110° C. or more or about 110° C. to about 145° C., 115° C. or more or about 115° C. to about 145° C., or 120° C. or more or about 120° C. to about 145° C. Herein, the crystal relaxation temperature refers to a temperature at which a change in the crystal arrangement occurs while a lamellar structure forming the crystal is maintained. And, it was measured by lowering the temperature to −60° C., maintaining at that temperature for 5 minutes, increasing the temperature to 140° C., and then determining the top of the tan δ curve as the crystal relaxation temperature using dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). The change in the crystal arrangement of the polyethylene occurs around the crystal relaxation temperature. The polyethylene of the present disclosure has the crystal relaxation temperature of 110° C. or more, which is close to the melting temperature, so that the change in the crystal arrangement occurs at a higher temperature, and the morphology of polyethylene particles is difficult to change during chlorination. Therefore, high chlorination productivity can also be ensured.

Preferably, the polyethylene may have a density of about 0.947 g/cm³ to 0.954 g/cm³. This means that the polyethylene has a high content of crystalline part and is dense, and the crystal structure of the polyethylene is difficult to change during chlorination.

The polyethylene of the present disclosure may have a molecular weight distribution of 2 to 10, 3 to 7, or 3.5 to 6. This means that the molecular weight distribution of the polyethylene is narrow. When the molecular weight distribution is broad, a difference in the molecular weight between polyethylenes is large, so the chlorine content of the polyethylenes after the chlorination reaction may vary, and the uniform distribution of chlorine is difficult. In addition, when a low molecular weight component is melted, fluidity becomes high, so that pores of polyethylene particles may be blocked to reduce the chlorination productivity. However, since the polyethylene of the present disclosure has the molecular weight distribution as described above, the difference in molecular weight between polyethylenes after the chlorination reaction is not large, and chlorine may be uniformly substituted.

For examples, the molecular weight distribution (MWD, polydispersity index) may be measured using gel permeation chromatography (GPC, manufactured by Water). The MWD may be determined by measuring a weight average molecular weight (Mw) and a number average molecular weight (Mn), and then dividing the weight average molecular weight by the number average molecular weight.

Specifically, PL-GPC220 manufactured by Waters may be used as the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) instrument, and a Polymer Laboratories PLgel MIX-B 300 mm length column may be used. An evaluation temperature may be 160° C., and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene may be used for a solvent at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Each polyethylene sample may be pretreated by dissolving in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene containing 0.0125% of BHT for 10 hours using a GPC analyzer (PL-GP220), and the sample with a concentration of 10 mg/10 mL may be supplied in an amount of 200 microliters (μL). Mw and Mn may be obtained using a calibration curve formed using a polystyrene standard. 9 kinds of the polystyrene standard are used with the molecular weight of 2000 g/mol, 10000 g/mol, 30000 g/mol, 70000 g/mol, 200000 g/mol, 700000 g/mol, 2000000 g/mol, 4000000 g/mol, 10000000 g/mol.

The polyethylene may have a weight average molecular weight of about 160000 g/mol to about 250000 g/mol, about 170000 g/mol to about 250000 g/mol, or about 180000 g/mol to about 250000 g/mol. This means that the polyethylene has a high molecular weight and a high content of a high molecular weight component, which leads to an effect of increasing the content of a linking molecule to be described later.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for preparing the above-described polyethylene.

The method for preparing the polyethylene according to the present disclosure may include the step of polymerizing ethylene in the presence of at least one first metallocene compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1; and at least one second metallocene compound selected from the compounds represented by the following Chemical Formula 3:

in Chemical Formula 1,

Q₁ and Q₂ are the same as or different from each other, and are each independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkoxyalkyl, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, C₇₋₄₀ alkylaryl, or C₇₋₄₀ arylalkyl;

A₁ is carbon (C), silicon (Si), or germanium (Ge);

M₁ is a Group 4 transition metal;

X₁ and X₂ are the same as or different from each other, and are each independently halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, a nitro group, an amido group, C₁₋₂₀ alkylsilyl, C₁₋₂₀ alkoxy, or a C₁₋₂₀ sulfonate group; and

one of C₁ and C₂ is represented by the following Chemical Formula 2a or 2b, and the other is represented by the following Chemical Formula 2c, 2d or 2e;

in Chemical Formulae 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e, R₁ to R₃₁ and R_(1′) to R_(13′) are the same as or different from each other, and are each independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₁₋₂₀ haloalkyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl, C₁₋₂₀ alkylsilyl, C₁₋₂₀ silylalkyl, C₁₋₂₀ alkoxysilyl, C₁₋₂₀ alkoxy, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, C₇₋₄₀ alkylaryl, or C₇₋₄₀ arylalkyl, provided that at least one of R₉ to R₁₃ and R_(9′) to R_(13′) is C₁₋₂₀ haloalkyl,

two or more substituents adjacent to each other of R₁₄ to R₃₁ may be connected with each other to form a C₆₋₂₀ aliphatic or aromatic ring unsubstituted or substituted with a C₁₋₁₀ hydrocarbyl group;

• represents a site of binding to A₁; and

* represents a site of binding to M₁;

in Chemical Formula 3,

at least one of R₃₂ to R₃₉ is —(CH₂)_(n)—OR, wherein R is C₁₋₆ linear or branched alkyl and n is an integer of 2 to 6;

the rest of R₃₂ to R₃₉ are the same as or different from each other, and are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, C₇₋₄₀ alkylaryl, and C₇₋₄₀ arylalkyl, or two or more substituents adjacent to each other may be connected with each other to form a C₆₋₂₀ aliphatic or aromatic ring unsubstituted or substituted with a C₁₋₁₀ hydrocarbyl group;

Q₃ and Q₄ are the same as or different from each other, and are each independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkoxyalkyl, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, C₇₋₄₀ alkylaryl, or C₇₋₄₀ arylalkyl;

A₂ is carbon (C), silicon (Si), or germanium (Ge);

M₂ is a Group 4 transition metal;

X₃ and X₄ are the same as or different from each other, and are each independently halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, a nitro group, an amido group, C₁₋₂₀ alkylsilyl, C₁₋₂₀ alkoxy, or a C₁₋₂₀ sulfonate group; and

m is an integer of 0 or 1.

Unless otherwise specified herein, the following terms may be defined as follows.

The halogen may be fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br) or iodine (I).

The hydrocarbyl group is a monovalent functional group in which a hydrogen atom is removed from hydrocarbon, and may include an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group, an aralkenyl group, an aralkynyl group, an alkylaryl group, an alkenylaryl group, an alkynylaryl group, and the like. In addition, the C₁₋₃₀ hydrocarbyl group may be a C₁₋₂₀ hydrocarbyl group or a C₁₋₁₀ hydrocarbyl group. For example, the hydrocarbyl group may be linear, branched or cyclic alkyl. More specifically, the C₁₋₃₀ hydrocarbyl group may be a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an iso-propyl group, an n-butyl group, an iso-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, an n-pentyl group, an n-hexyl group, an n-heptyl group and a cyclohexyl group; or an aryl group such as phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl, or fluorenyl. Moreover, it may be alkylaryl such as methylphenyl, ethylphenyl, methylbiphenyl, and methylnaphthyl, or arylalkyl such as phenylmethyl, phenylethyl, biphenylmethyl, and naphthylmethyl. It may also be alkenyl such as allyl, ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, and pentenyl.

In addition, the C₁₋₂₀ alkyl may be linear, branched or cyclic alkyl. Specifically, the C₁₋₂₀ alkyl may be C₁₋₂₀ linear alkyl; C₁₋₁₅ linear alkyl; C₁₋₅ linear alkyl; C₃₋₂₀ branched or cyclic alkyl; C₃₋₁₅ branched or cyclic alkyl; or C₃₋₁₀ branched or cyclic alkyl. For example, the C₁₋₂₀ alkyl may include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl includes linear or branched alkenyl, and may specifically include allyl, ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The C₁₋₂₀ alkoxy may include methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, tert-butoxy, cyclohexyloxy, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The C₂₋₂₀ alkoxyalkyl group is a functional group in which at least one hydrogen of the above-mentioned alkyl is substituted with alkoxy, and it may include methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxymethyl, iso-propoxymethyl, iso-propoxyethyl, iso-propoxypropyl, iso-propoxyhexyl, tert-butoxymethyl, tert-butoxyethyl, tert-butoxypropyl, tert-butoxyhexyl, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The C₆₋₄₀ aryloxy may include phenoxy, biphenoxyl, naphthoxy, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The C₇₋₄₀ aryloxyalkyl group is a functional group in which at least one hydrogen of the above-mentioned alkyl is substituted with aryloxy, and it may include phenoxymethyl, phenoxyethyl, phenoxyhexyl, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The C₁₋₂₀ alkylsilyl or the C₁₋₂₀ alkoxysilyl is a functional group in which 1 to 3 hydrogens of —SiH₃ are substituted with 1 to 3 alkyl groups or alkoxy groups described above, and it may include alkylsilyl such as methylsilyl, dimethylsilyl, trimethylsilyl, dimethylethylsilyl, diethylmethylsilyl or dimethylpropylsilyl; alkoxysilyl such as methoxysilyl, dimethoxysilyl, trimethoxysilyl or dimethoxyethoxysilyl; or alkoxyalkylsilyl such as methoxydimethylsilyl, diethoxymethylsilyl or dimethoxypropylsilyl; and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The C₁₋₂₀ silylalkyl is a functional group in which at least one hydrogen of the above-mentioned alkyl is substituted with silyl, and it may include —CH₂—SiH₃, methylsilylmethyl or dimethylethoxysilylpropyl, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In addition, the C₁₋₂₀ alkylene is the same as the above-mentioned alkyl except that it is a divalent substituent, and it may include methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene, hexylene, heptylene, octylene, cyclopropylene, cyclobutylene, cyclopentylene, cyclohexylene, cycloheptylene, cyclooctylene, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The C₆₋₂₀ aryl may be a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. For example, the C₆₋₂₀ aryl may include phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl, fluorenyl, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The C₇₋₂₀ alkylaryl may refer to a substituent in which at least one hydrogen of the aromatic ring is substituted with the above-mentioned alkyl. For example, the C₇₋₂₀ alkylaryl may include methylphenyl, ethylphenyl, methylbiphenyl, methylnaphthyl, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The C₇₋₂₀ arylalkyl may refer to a substituent in which at least one hydrogen of the alkyl is substituted with the above-mentioned aryl. For example, the C₇₋₂₀ arylalkyl may include phenylmethyl, phenylethyl, biphenylmethyl, naphthylmethyl, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In addition, the C₆₋₂₀ arylene is the same as the above-mentioned aryl except that it is a divalent substituent, and it may include phenylene, biphenylene, naphthylene, anthracenylene, phenanthrenylene, fluorenylene, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The Group 4 transition metal may be titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), or rutherfordium (Rf), and may specifically be titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), or hafnium (Hf). More specifically, it may be zirconium (Zr), or hafnium (Hf), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Further, the Group 13 element may be boron (B), aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), indium (In), or thallium (Tl), and may specifically be boron (B) or aluminum (Al), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The first metallocene compound may be represented by the following Chemical Formula 1-1.

in Chemical Formula 1-1, Q₁, Q₂, A₁, M₁, X₁, X₂, R₃, and R₉ to R₂₁ are the same as defined in Chemical Formula 1.

Specifically, each of the Q₁ and Q₂ may be C₁₋₃ alkyl, or C₂₋₁₂ alkoxyalkyl, and preferably be methyl or tert-butoxyhexyl.

Specifically, each of the X₁ and X₂ may be halogen, and preferably be chloro.

Specifically, A₁ may be silicon (Si).

Specifically, M₁ may be zirconium (Zr) or hafnium (Hf), and preferably be zirconium (Zr).

Specifically, each of the R₉ to R₁₃ and R_(9′) to R_(13′) may be hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, and preferably be hydrogen, or C₁₋₃ haloalkyl. For example, R₉ to R₁₂ or R_(9′) to R_(12′) may be hydrogen, and R_(13′) or R_(13′) may be trihalomethyl, preferably trifluoromethyl.

Specifically, R₃ may be C₁₋₆ linear or branched alkyl, or C₁₋₃ linear or branched alkyl, and preferably be methyl.

Specifically, each of the R₁₄ to R₂₁ may be hydrogen, or C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, or C₁₋₆ alkyl, or C₁₋₃ alkyl. Or, two or more substituents adjacent to each other of R₁₄ to R₂₁ may be connected with each other to form a C₆₋₂₀ aliphatic or aromatic ring substituted with C₁₋₃ alkyl.

Specifically, each of the R₂₂ to R₂₇ may be hydrogen, or C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, or C₁₋₆ alkyl, or C₁₋₃ alkyl.

The compound represented by the Chemical Formula 1 may be, for example, a compound represented by the following structural formula, but is not limited thereto.

The first metallocene compound represented by the above structural formula may be synthesized by applying known reactions, and a detailed synthesis method may be referred to Examples.

In the method for preparing a polyethylene according to the present disclosure, at least one first metallocene compound represented by the Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 1-1 as described above is used together with at least one second metallocene compound described below. Thus, it is possible to achieve high productivity and excellent impact strength during PVC compound processing in the CPE process described below by simultaneously optimizing the crystal relaxation temperature (CRT) of the polyethylene and correlation between the relaxation time and the melt index (MI₅).

Meanwhile, the second metallocene compound may be represented by any one of the following Chemical Formulae 3-1 to 3-4.

in Chemical Formulae 3-1 to 3-4, Q₃, Q₄, A₂, M₂, X₃, X₄, and R₃₂ to R₃₉ are the same as defined in Chemical Formula 3, and R′ and R″ are the same as or different from each other, and are each independently a C₁₋₁₀ hydrocarbyl group.

Specifically, each of the Q₃ and Q₄ may be C₁₋₃ alkyl, and preferably be methyl.

Specifically, each of the X₃ and X₄ may be halogen, and preferably be chloro.

Specifically, A₂ may be silicon (Si).

Specifically, M₂ may be zirconium (Zr) or hafnium (Hf), and preferably be zirconium (Zr).

Specifically, each of the R₃₂ to R₃₉ may be hydrogen, or C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, or C₁₋₆ alkyl, or C₂₋₆ alkyl substituted with C₁₋₆ alkoxy, or C₄₋₆ alkyl substituted with C₁₋₄ alkoxy. Or, two or more substituents adjacent to each other of R₃₂ to R₃₉ may be connected with each other to form a C₆₋₂₀ aliphatic or aromatic ring substituted with C₁₋₃ alkyl.

Preferably, each of the R₃₄ and R₃₇ may be C₁₋₆ alkyl, or C₂₋₆ alkyl substituted with C₁₋₆ alkoxy, or C₄₋₆ alkyl, or C₄₋₆ alkyl substituted with C₁₋₄ alkoxy. For example, each of the R₃₄ and R₃₇ may be n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, tert-butoxy butyl, or tert-butoxy hexyl.

And, R₃₂, R₃₃, R₃₅, R₃₆, R₃₈, and R₃₉ may be hydrogen.

The compound represented by the Chemical Formula 3 may be, for example, a compound represented by one of the following structural formulae, but is not limited thereto.

The metallocene catalyst used in the present disclosure may be supported on a support together with a cocatalyst compound.

In the supported metallocene catalyst according to the present disclosure, the cocatalyst supported on a support for activating the metallocene compound is an organometallic compound containing a Group 13 metal and is not particularly limited as long as it can be used in the polymerization of olefins in the presence of a general metallocene catalyst.

The cocatalyst is an organometallic compound containing a Group 13 metal and is not particularly limited as long as it can be used in the polymerization of ethylene in the presence of a general metallocene catalyst.

Specifically, the cocatalyst may be at least one selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by the following Chemical Formulae 4 to 6: —[Al(R₄₁)—O]_(c)—  [Chemical Formula 4]

in Chemical Formula 4,

R₄₁ are each independently halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, or C₁₋₂₀ haloalkyl, and

c is an integer of 2 or more; D(R₅₁)₃  [Chemical Formula 5]

in Chemical Formula 5,

D is aluminum or boron, and

R₅₁ are each independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₁₋₂₀ hydrocarbyl substituted with halogen, [L-H]⁺[Q(E)₄]⁻ or [L]⁺[Q(E)₄]⁻  [Chemical Formula 6]

in Chemical Formula 6,

L is a neutral or cationic Lewis base;

[L-H]⁺ is a bronsted acid,

Q is B³⁺ or Al³⁺, and

E are each independently C₆₋₂₀ aryl or C₁₋₂₀ alkyl unsubstituted or substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₁₋₂₀ alkoxy, and phenoxy.

The compound represented by Chemical Formula 4 may be alkylaluminoxane such as modified methyl aluminoxane (MMAO), methyl aluminoxane (MAO), ethylaluminoxane, isobutylaluminoxane, butylaluminoxane, and the like.

The alkyl metal compound represented by Chemical Formula 5 may be trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, tripropylaluminum, tributylaluminum, dimethylchloroaluminum, dimethylisobutylaluminum, dimethylethylaluminum, diethylchloroaluminum, triisopropylaluminum, tri-s-butylaluminum, tricyclopentylaluminum, tripentylaluminum, triisopentylaluminum, trihexylaluminum, ethyldimethylaluminum, methyldiethylaluminum, triphenylaluminum, tri-p-tolylaluminum, dimethylaluminummethoxide, dimethylaluminumethoxide, trimethylboron, triethylboron, triisobutylboron, tripropylboron, tributylboron, or the like.

The compound represented by Chemical Formula 6 may be triethylammonium tetraphenylboron, tributylammonium tetraphenylboron, trimethylammonium tetraphenylboron, tripropylammonium tetraphenylboron, trimethylammonium tetra(p-tolyl)boron, tripropylammonium tetra(p-tolyl)boron, triethylammonium tetra(o,p-dimethylphenyl)boron, trimethylammonium tetra(o,p-dimethylphenyl)boron, tributylammonium tetra(p-trifluoromethylphenyl)boron, trimethylammonium tetra(p-trifluoromethylphenyl)boron, tributylammonium tetrapentafluorophenylboron, N,N-diethylanilinium tetraphenylboron, N,N-diethylanilinium tetrapentafluorophenylboron, diethylammonium tetrapentafluorophenylboron, triphenylphosphonium tetraphenylboron, trimethylphosphonium tetraphenylboron, triethylammonium tetraphenylaluminum, tributylammonium tetraphenylaluminum, trimethylammonium tetraphenylaluminum, tripropylammonium tetraphenylaluminum, trimethylammonium tetra(p-tolyl)aluminum, tripropylammonium tetra(p-tolyl)aluminum, triethylammonium tetra(o,p-dimethylphenyl)aluminum, tributylammonium tetra(p-trifluoromethylphenyl)aluminum, trimethylammonium tetra(p-trifluoromethylphenyl)aluminum, tributylammonium tetrapentafluorophenylaluminum, N,N-diethylanilinium tetraphenylaluminum, N,N-diethylanilinium tetrapentafluorophenylaluminum, diethylammonium tetrapentafluorophenylaluminum, triphenylphosphonium tetraphenylaluminum, trimethylphosphonium tetraphenylaluminum, triphenylcarbonium tetraphenylboron, triphenylcarbonium tetraphenylaluminum, triphenylcarbonium tetra(p-trifluoromethylphenyl)boron, triphenylcarbonium tetrapentafluorophenylboron, or the like.

The cocatalyst may be supported in an amount of 5 mmol to 20 mmol based on 1 g of the support.

In the supported metallocene catalyst according to the present disclosure, a support containing hydroxyl groups on the surface may be used. Preferably, a support containing highly reactive hydroxyl groups and siloxane groups which is dried to remove moisture on the surface may be used.

The support may be silica, silica-alumina, or silica-magnesia dried at a high temperature, and commonly contain oxide, carbonate, sulfate, and nitrate such as Na₂O, K₂CO₃, BaSO₄, Mg(NO₃)₂, and the like.

A drying temperature of the support may preferably be 200° C. to 800° C., more preferably 300° C. to 600° C., and most preferably 300° C. to 400° C. When the drying temperature of the support is less than about 200° C., surface moisture may react with the cocatalyst due to excessive moisture. When it is greater than about 800° C., pores on the surface of the support may be combined to reduce the surface area, and a lot of hydroxyl groups may be lost on the surface and only siloxane groups may remain, thus decreasing the reaction sites with the cocatalyst, which is not preferable.

The amount of the hydroxyl groups on the surface of the support may preferably be 0.1 mmol/g to 10 mmol/g, more preferably 0.5 mmol/g to 5 mmol/g. The amount of the hydroxyl groups on the surface of the support may be controlled by the preparation method and conditions of the support, or drying conditions, for example, temperature, time, vacuum, spray drying, or the like.

When the amount of the hydroxyl groups are less than 0.1 mmol/g, the reaction sites with the cocatalyst may be little, and when it is greater than 10 mmol/g, there is a possibility of being derived from moisture other than hydroxyl groups on the surface of the support particle, which is not preferable.

In the supported metallocene catalyst of the present disclosure, a weight ratio of total transition metal included in the metallocene catalyst to the support may be 1:10 to 1:1000. When the support and the metallocene compounds are included within the above weight ratio, an optimal shape may be exhibited. In addition, a weight ratio of the cocatalyst compound to the support may be 1:1 to 1:100.

The ethylene polymerization reaction may be carried out using a continuous slurry polymerization reactor, a loop slurry reactor, a gas phase reactor, or a solution reactor.

In particular, the polyethylene according to the present disclosure may be prepared by homopolymerizing ethylene in the presence of at least one first metallocene compound represented by the Chemical Formula 1; and at least one second metallocene compound selected from the compounds represented by the Chemical Formula 3.

A weight ratio of the first metallocene compound and the second metallocene compound (first metallocene compound: second metallocene compound) may be about 65:35 to 75:25, or about 68:32 to about 72:28. The weight ratio of the catalyst precursor may be within the above range in terms of implementing a molecular structure having a narrow particle distribution and a low content of ultra-high molecular weight to improve impact strength of PVC compound, and to prepare a chlorinated polyethylene having excellent chlorination productivity and thermal stability. In particular, when the weight ratio of the first metallocene compound and the second metallocene compound is within the above range, the hydrogen input may be reduced to about 35 ppm or less in the polymerization process, so that a wax content may be kept as low as 10% or less. The wax content may be measured by separating the polymerization product using a centrifugal separator, sampling 100 mL of the remaining hexane solvent, settling for 2 hours, and determining a volume ratio occupied by the wax.

In addition, the polyethylene may be prepared under the metallocene catalyst as described above while introducing hydrogen gas. Herein, the hydrogen gas may be introduced in an amount of about 35 ppm or less or about 10 ppm to about 35 ppm, or about 30 ppm or less or about 20 ppm to about 30 ppm relative to ethylene. As described above, the amount of hydrogen gas may be about 35 ppm or less in terms of minimizing the wax content after the polymerization process and ensuring a melt index MI₅ of 0.55 g/10 min or less of the polyethylene to be prepared.

In addition, the polymerization may be performed at a temperature of about 25° C. to about 500° C., preferably about 25° C. to about 200° C., more preferably about 50° C. to about 150° C. In addition, the polymerization may be performed at a pressure of about 1 kgf/cm² to about 100 kgf/cm², preferably about 1 kgf/cm² to about 50 kgf/cm², more preferably about 5 kgf/cm² to about 30 kgf/cm².

In addition, the supported metallocene catalyst may be dissolved or diluted in a C5 to C12 aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent such as pentane, hexane, heptane, nonane, decane and an isomer thereof, in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent such as toluene and benzene, or in a hydrocarbon solvent substituted with chlorine such as dichloromethane and chlorobenzene, and injected. The solvent used herein is preferably used after removing a small amount of water or air, which acts as a catalyst poison, by treating with a small amount of alkyl aluminum. It is also possible to further use the cocatalyst.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) using the above-described polyethylene is provided.

The chlorinated polyethylene according to the present disclosure may be prepared by polymerizing ethylene in the presence of the supported metallocene catalyst described above, and then reacting the polyethylene with chlorine.

The reaction with chlorine may be carried out by dispersing the prepared polyethylene with water, an emulsifier and a dispersant, and then adding a catalyst and chlorine to react.

As the emulsifier, polyether or polyalkylene oxide may be used. The dispersant may be a polymer salt or an organic acid polymer salt, and the organic acid may be methacrylic acid or acrylic acid.

The catalyst may be a chlorination catalyst used in the art, and benzoyl peroxide may be used. The chlorine may be used alone, or may be mixed with an inert gas and then used.

The chlorination reaction may be performed at about 60° C. to about 150° C., about 70° C. to about 145° C., or about 80° C. to about 140° C. for about 10 minutes to about 10 hours, about 1 hour to about 9 hours, or about 2 hours to about 8 hours.

The chlorinated polyethylene prepared by the above reaction may be further subjected to a neutralization process, a washing process and/or a drying process, and thus may be obtained in a powder form.

The chlorinated polyethylene exhibits excellent uniformity in chlorine distribution in the chlorinated polyethylene because the polyethylene has a narrow molecular weight distribution. For example, the chlorinated polyethylene is prepared by reacting the polyethylene with chlorine in a slurry (water or HCl aqueous solution) at about 60° C. to about 150° C., and may have a Mooney viscosity (MV) measured at 121° C. of about 85 or more to about 140 or less, about 88 or more to about 130 or less, or about 90 or more to about 110 or less. In addition, the chlorinated polyethylene may have a glass transition temperature (Tg) measured using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC, TA2000) of about −25° C. to about −15° C., about −22° C. to about −15.5° C., or about −20° C. to about −16° C. Specifically, the Mooney viscosity (MV) and glass transition temperature (Tg) may be values measured for the chlorinated polyethylene obtained by heating about 500 kg to about 600 kg of polyethylene in a slurry state (water or aqueous HCl solution) from about 75° C. to about 85° C. to a final temperature of about 120° C. to about 140° C. at a rate of about 15° C./hr to about 18.5° C./hr, and then performing a chlorination reaction with gaseous chlorine at a final temperature of about 120° C. to about 140° C. for about 2 hours to about 5 hours. At this time, the chlorination reaction may be carried out by injecting the gaseous chlorine while raising the temperature and maintaining the pressure in the reactor at about 0.2 MPa to about 0.4 MPa at the same time, and a total amount of chlorine injected is about 550 kg to about 650 kg. Methods for measuring the Mooney viscosity (MV) and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the chlorinated polyethylene are as described in Test Example 2 to be described later, and the detailed description is omitted.

For example, the chlorinated polyethylene may have a chlorine content of about 20 wt % to about 45 wt %, about 31 wt % to about 40 wt %, or about 33 wt % to about 38 wt %. The chlorine content of the chlorinated polyethylene may be measured using combustion ion chromatography. For example, the combustion ion chromatography uses a combustion IC (ICS-5000/AQF-2100H) device equipped with an IonPac AS18 (4×250 mm) column. And the chlorine content may be measured using KOH (30.5 mM) as an eluent at a flow rate of 1 mL/min at an inlet temperature of 900° C. and an outlet temperature of 1000° C. The device conditions and measurement conditions for measuring the chlorine content are as described in Test Example 2 to be described later, the detailed description is omitted.

Specifically, the chlorinated polyethylene according to the present disclosure may have a Mooney viscosity (MV) of about 90 to about 110 and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of −20° C. to about −16° C. under a condition of 33 to 38 wt % of chlorine.

The chlorinated polyethylene may be, for example, a randomly chlorinated polyethylene.

The chlorinated polyethylene prepared according to the present disclosure is excellent in chemical resistance, weather resistance, flame retardancy, processability and impact strength reinforcing effect, and is widely used as an impact reinforcing agent for PVC pipes and window profiles.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a PVC composition including the above-described chlorinated polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

The PVC composition may include, for example, about 5 wt % to about 20 wt % of the chlorinated polyethylene and about 50 wt % to about 95 wt % of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

For example, the chlorinated polyethylene may be included in about 5 wt % to about 20 wt %, or about 5 wt % to about 10 wt %.

For example, the polyvinyl chloride may be included in about 50 wt % to about 95 wt %, or about 60 wt % to about 90 wt %.

For example, the PVC composition may further include about 5 parts by weight to about 600 parts by weight, or about 10 parts by weight to about 200 parts by weight of inorganic additives such as TiO₂, CaCO₃, and composite stearate (Ca, Zn-stearate) based on 100 parts by weight of the chlorinated polyethylene.

In a specific example, the PVC composition may include about 5 wt % to about 20 wt % of the chlorinated polyethylene, about 60 wt % to about 90 wt % of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % of TiO₂, about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % of CaCO₃ and about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % of composite stearate (Ca, Zn-stearate).

The PVC composition may have a plasticization time of about 170 seconds or less, about 150 seconds or less, or about 150 seconds to 100 seconds. In addition, the PVC composition may have a Charpy impact strength measured at room temperature in accordance with ASTM E 23 of 24 kJ/m² or more, when compounded with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) at 160° C. to 190° C. Within this range, a balance of physical properties and productivity are excellent. A method for measuring the Charpy impact strength of the PVC composition is as described in Test Example 3 to be described later, and the detailed description is omitted.

In addition, the chlorinated polyethylene according to the present disclosure may produce a molded product by conventional methods in the art. For example, the molded product may be manufactured by roll-milling the chlorinated polyethylene and extruding it.

Hereinafter, preferred examples are provided to aid in understanding the present invention. However, these examples are for illustrative purposes only, and the invention is not intended to be limited by these examples.

Preparation of Catalyst Precursor Preparation of First Metallocene Compound Synthesis Example 1

1-1 Preparation of Ligand Compound

2.9 g (7.4 mmol) of 8-methyl-5-(2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indole was dissolved in 100 mL of hexane and 2 mL (16.8 mmol) of MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), and 3.2 mL (8.1 mmol) of 2.5 M n-BuLi hexane solution was added dropwise in a dry ice/acetone bath and stirred overnight at room temperature. In another 250 mL schlenk flask, 2 g (7.4 mmol) of (6-tert-butoxyhexyl)dichloro(methyl)silane was dissolved in 50 mL of hexane and added dropwise in a dry ice/acetone bath. Then, a lithiated slurry of 8-methyl-5-(2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indole was added dropwise through a cannula. After the injection, the mixture was slowly heated to room temperature and then stirred at room temperature overnight. At the same time, 1.2 g (7.4 mmol) of fluorene was also dissolved in 100 mL of tetrahydrofuran (THF), and 3.2 mL (8.1 mmol) of 2.5 M n-BuLi hexane solution was added dropwise in a dry ice/acetone bath, followed by stirring at room temperature overnight.

The reaction solution (Si solution) of 8-methyl-5-(2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indole and (6-(tert-butoxy)hexyl)dichloro(methyl)silane was confirmed by NMR sampling.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.74-6.49 (11H, m), 5.87 (2H, s), 4.05 (1H, d), 3.32 (2H, m), 3.49 (3H, s), 1.50-1.25 (8H, m), 1.15 (9H, s), 0.50 (2H, m), 0.17 (3H, d).

After confirming the synthesis, the lithiated solution of fluorene was slowly added dropwise to the Si solution in a dry ice/acetone bath and stirred overnight at room temperature. After the reaction, it was extracted with ether/water and residual moisture of the organic layer was removed with MgSO₄. Then, the solvent was removed under vacuum reduced pressure to obtain 5.5 g (7.4 mmol) of an oily ligand compound, which was confirmed by 1H-NMR.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.89-6.53 (19H, m), 5.82 (2H, s), 4.26 (1H, d), 4.14-4.10 (1H, m), 3.19 (3H, s), 2.40 (3H, m), 1.35-1.21 (6H, m), 1.14 (9H, s), 0.97-0.9 (4H, m), −0.34 (3H, t).

1-2 Preparation of Metallocene Compound

5.4 g (Mw 742.00, 7.4 mmol) of the ligand compound synthesized in the above 1-1 was dissolved in 80 mL of toluene and 3 mL (25.2 mmol) of MTBE, and 7.1 mL (17.8 mmol) of 2.5 M n-BuLi hexane solution was added dropwise in a dry ice/acetone bath, followed by stirring at room temperature overnight. 3.0 g (8.0 mmol) of ZrCl₄(THF)₂ was added to 80 mL of toluene to prepare a slurry. 80 mL of the toluene slurry of ZrCl₄(THF)₂ was transferred to a ligand-Li solution in a dry ice/acetone bath and stirred at room temperature overnight.

After the reaction mixture was filtered to remove LiCl, the toluene of the filtrate was removed by vacuum drying, and then 100 mL of hexane was added thereto, followed by sonication for 1 hour. This was filtered to obtain 3.5 g (yield 52 mol %) of a purple metallocene compound as a filtered solid.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.90-6.69 (9H, m), 5.67 (2H, s), 3.37 (2H, m), 2.56 (3H, s), 2.13-1.51 (11H, m), 1.17 (9H, s).

Comparative Synthesis Example 1

50 g of Mg was added to a 10 L reactor at room temperature, followed by 300 mL of THF. 0.5 g of 12 was added, and the reactor temperature was maintained at 50° C. After the reactor temperature was stabilized, 250 g of 6-t-butoxyhexyl chloride was added to the reactor at a rate of 5 mL/min using a feeding pump. It was observed that the reactor temperature rose by 4° C. to 5° C. with the addition of 6-t-butoxyhexylchloride. It was stirred for 12 hours while continuously adding 6-t-butoxyhexylchloride to obtain a black reaction solution. 2 mL of the black solution was taken to which water was added to obtain an organic layer. The organic layer was confirmed to be 6-t-butoxyhexane through ¹H-NMR. From this, it was confirmed that Grignard reaction was well performed. Consequently, 6-t-butoxyhexyl magnesium chloride was synthesized.

500 g of MeSiCl₃ and 1 L of THF were introduced to a reactor, and then the reactor temperature was cooled down to −20° C. 560 g of the 6-t-butoxyhexyl magnesium chloride synthesized above was added to the reactor at a rate of 5 mL/min using a feeding pump. After completion of the feeding of Grignard reagent, the mixture was stirred for 12 hours while slowly raising the reactor temperature to room temperature. Then, it was confirmed that white MgCl₂ salt was produced. 4 L of hexane was added thereto and the salt was removed through a labdori to obtain a filtered solution. After the filtered solution was added to the reactor, hexane was removed at 70° C. to obtain a pale yellow liquid. The obtained liquid was confirmed to be methyl(6-t-butoxyhexyl)dichlorosilane through ¹H-NMR.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): 3.3 (t, 2H), 1.5 (m, 3H), 1.3 (m, 5H), 1.2 (s, 9H), 1.1 (m, 2H), 0.7 (s, 3H).

1.2 mol (150 g) of tetramethylcyclopentadiene and 2.4 L of THF were added to the reactor, and then the reactor temperature was cooled down to −20° C. 480 mL of n-BuLi was added to the reactor at a rate of 5 ml/min using a feeding pump. After n-BuLi was added, the mixture was stirred for 12 hours while slowly raising the reactor temperature to room temperature. Then, an equivalent of methyl(6-t-butoxyhexyl)dichlorosilane (326 g, 350 mL) was rapidly added to the reactor. The mixture was stirred for 12 hours while slowly raising the reactor temperature to room temperature. Then, the reactor temperature was cooled to 0° C. again, and 2 equivalents of t-BuNH₂ was added. The mixture was stirred for 12 hours while slowly raising the reactor temperature to room temperature. Then, THF was removed. Thereafter, 4 L of hexane was added and the salt was removed through a labdori to obtain a filtered solution. The filtered solution was added to the reactor again, and hexane was removed at 70° C. to obtain a yellow solution. The yellow solution obtained above was confirmed to be methyl(6-t-butoxyhexyl)(tetramethylCpH)t-butylaminosilane through ¹H-NMR.

TiCl₃(THF)₃ (10 mmol) was rapidly added to a dilithium salt of a ligand at −78° C., which was synthesized from n-BuLi and the ligand of dimethyl(tetramethylCpH)t-butylaminosilane in THF solution. While slowly heating the reaction solution from −78° C. to room temperature, it was stirred for 12 hours. Then, an equivalent of PbCl₂ (10 mmol) was added to the reaction solution at room temperature, and then stirred for 12 hours to obtain a dark black solution having a blue color. After removing THF from the resulting reaction solution, hexane was added to filter the product. Hexane was removed from the filtered solution, and then the product was confirmed to be tBu-O—(CH₂)₆(CH₃)Si(C₅(CH₃)₄)(tBu-N)TiCl₂ through ¹H-NMR.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): 3.3 (s, 4H), 2.2 (s, 6H), 2.1 (s, 6H), 1.8-0.8 (m), 1.4 (s, 9H), 1.2 (s, 9H), 0.7 (s, 3H).

Preparation of Second Metallocene Compound Synthesis Example 2

t-Butyl-O—(CH₂)₆—Cl was prepared by the method shown in Tetrahedron Lett. 2951 (1988) using 6-chlorohexanol, and reacted with cyclopentadienyl sodium (sodium Cp salt, NaCp) to obtain t-butyl-O—(CH₂)₆—C₅H₅ (yield 60%, b.p. 80° C./0.1 mmHg).

Further, t-butyl-O—(CH₂)₆—C₅H₅ was dissolved in THF at −78° C., and n-BuLi was slowly added thereto. Thereafter, it was heated to room temperature and reacted for 8 hours. The lithium salt solution synthesized as described above was slowly added to a suspension solution of ZrCl₄(THF)₂ (170 g, 4.50 mmol)/THF(30 mL) at −78° C., and further reacted for about 6 hours at room temperature. All volatiles were dried in vacuum and the resulting oily liquid material was filtered by adding a hexane solvent. The filtered solution was dried in vacuum, and hexane was added to obtain a precipitate at a low temperature (−20° C.). The obtained precipitate was filtered at a low temperature to obtain [tBu-O—(CH₂)₆—C₅H₄]₂ZrCl₂ in the form of a white solid (yield 92%).

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 6.28 (t, J=2.6 Hz, 2H), 6.19 (t, J=2.6 Hz, 2H), 3.31 (t, 6.6 Hz, 2H), 2.62 (t, J=8 Hz), 1.7-1.3 (m, 8H), 1.17 (s, 9H).

¹³C-NMR (CDCl₃): 135.09, 116.66, 112.28, 72.42, 61.52, 30.66, 30.31, 30.14, 29.18, 27.58, 26.00.

Preparation of Supported Catalyst Preparation Example 1: Preparation of Supported Catalyst

5.0 kg of toluene solution was added to a 20 L stainless steel (sus) high pressure reactor, and the reactor temperature was maintained at 40° C. After adding 1000 g of silica (SP948, manufactured by Grace Davison Co.) dehydrated at a temperature of 600° C. for 12 hours under vacuum to the reactor and dispersing the silica sufficiently, 55 g of the metallocene compound of Synthesis Example 2 was dissolved in toluene, added thereto and then reacted while stirring at 200 rpm at 40° C. for 2 hours. Thereafter, the stirring was stopped, followed by settling for 30 minutes and then decantation of the reaction solution.

2.5 kg of toluene was added to the reactor, and 9.4 kg of 10 wt % methylaluminoxane (MAO)/toluene solution was added thereto, followed by stirring at 200 rpm at 40° C. for 12 hours. Thereafter, the stirring was stopped, followed by settling for 30 minutes and then decantation of the reaction solution. After 3.0 kg of toluene was added and stirred for 10 minutes, the stirring was stopped, followed by settling for 30 minutes and then decantation of the toluene solution.

After 3.0 kg of toluene was added to the reactor, 142.3 g of the metallocene compound of Synthesis Example 1 was dissolved in 1 L of the toluene solution, and added thereto, followed by stirring at 200 rpm at 40° C. for 2 hours. At this time, a weight ratio of the metallocene compound of Synthesis Example 1 and the metallocene compound of Synthesis Example 2 was 72:28. After lowering the reactor temperature to room temperature, the stirring was stopped, followed by settling for 30 minutes and then decantation of the reaction solution.

2.0 kg of toluene was added to the reactor and stirred for 10 minutes. Then, the stirring was stopped, followed by settling for 30 minutes and then decantation of the reaction solution.

3.0 kg of hexane was added to the reactor, the hexane slurry was transferred to a filter drier, and the hexane solution was filtered. 1 kg-SiO₂ supported hybrid catalyst was prepared by drying under reduced pressure at 40° C. for 4 hours.

Comparative Preparation Example 1: Preparation of Supported Catalyst

A supported hybrid catalyst was prepared in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1, except that the metallocene compound of Comparative Synthesis Example 1 was used instead of the metallocene compound of Synthesis Example 1, and a weight ratio of the metallocene compound of Comparative Synthesis Example 1 and the metallocene compound of Synthesis Example 2 was 70:30.

Comparative Preparation Example 2: Preparation of Supported Catalyst

A supported hybrid catalyst was prepared in the same manner as in Comparative Preparation Example 1, except that a weight ratio of the metallocene compound of Comparative Synthesis Example 1 and the metallocene compound of Synthesis Example 2 was changed to 50:50.

Preparation of Polyethylene Example 1-1

The supported catalyst prepared in Preparation Example 1 was added to a single slurry polymerization process to prepare a high density polyethylene.

First, a 100 m³ reactor was charged with a flow rate of 25 ton/hr of hexane, 10 ton/hr of ethylene, 20 ppm of hydrogen (relative to ethylene), and 10 kg/hr of triethylaluminum (TEAL), and a supported hybrid metallocene catalyst of Preparation Example 1 was injected to the reactor at 0.5 kg/hr. Thereafter, the ethylene was continuously reacted in a hexane slurry state at a reactor temperature of 82° C. and a pressure of 7.0 kg/cm² to 7.5 kg/cm². Then, it was subjected to solvent removal and drying to prepare a high density polyethylene in a powder form.

Examples 1-2 and 1-3

High density polyethylenes of Examples 1-2 and 1-3 having a powder form were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the input amount of hydrogen was changed to 25 ppm and 30 ppm, respectively.

Comparative Example 1-1

A high density polyethylene (HDPE) commercial product (CE604K, manufactured by LG Chem), which is prepared using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and has a melt index (MI₅, 190° C., 5 kg) of 0.46 g/10 min, was prepared for Comparative Example 1-1.

Comparative Example 1-2

A high density polyethylene (HDPE) commercial product (CE604X, manufactured by LG Chem), which is prepared using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and has a melt index (MI₅, 190° C., 5 kg) of 0.98 g/10 min, was prepared for Comparative Example 1-2.

Comparative Example 1-3

A high density polyethylene (HDPE) commercial product (CE2080, manufactured by LG Chem), which is prepared using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and has a melt index (MI₅, 190° C., 5 kg) of 1.28 g/10 min, was prepared for Comparative Example 1-3.

Comparative Example 1-4

A high density polyethylene having a powder form was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the supported catalyst prepared in Comparative Preparation Example 1 was used instead of the supported catalyst prepared in Preparation Example 1.

Comparative Example 1-5

A high density polyethylene having a powder form was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1-3, except that the supported catalyst prepared in Comparative Preparation Example 1 was used instead of the supported catalyst prepared in Preparation Example 1.

Comparative Example 1-6

A high density polyethylene having a powder form was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the supported catalyst prepared in Comparative Preparation Example 2 was used instead of the supported catalyst prepared in Preparation Example 1.

Comparative Example 1-7

A high density polyethylene having a powder form was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1-3, except that the supported catalyst prepared in Comparative Preparation Example 2 was used instead of the supported catalyst prepared in Preparation Example 1.

Test Example 1

Physical properties of the polyethylenes prepared in Examples and Comparative Examples were measured by the following method, and the results are shown in Table 1 below.

1) Melt Index (MI, g/10 Min)

The melt index (MI_(2.16), MI₅, MI_(21.6)) was measured under a load of 2.16 kg, 5 kg, and 21.6 kg, respectively, in accordance with ASTM D 1238 at a temperature of 190° C. A weight (g) of polymer melted for 10 minutes was recorded as the melt index.

2) Melt Flow Rate Ratio (MFRR, MI_(21.6/5))

The melt flow rate ratio (MFRR, MI_(21.6/5)) was obtained by dividing the melt index measured at 190° C. under a load of 21.6 kg by the melt index measured at 190° C. under a load of 5 kg in accordance with ASTM D 1238.

3) Density

The density (g/cm³) was measured in accordance with ASTM D 1505.

4) Molecular Weight Distribution (MWD, Polydispersity Index)

The molecular weight distribution (MWD) was determined by measuring a weight average molecular weight (Mw) and a number average molecular weight (Mn) using gel permeation chromatography (GPC, manufactured by Water), and then dividing the weight average molecular weight by the number average molecular weight.

Specifically, PL-GPC220 manufactured by Waters was used as the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) instrument, and a Polymer Laboratories PLgel MIX-B 300 mm length column was used. An evaluation temperature was 160° C., and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene was used for a solvent at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Each polyethylene sample was pretreated by dissolving in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene containing 0.0125% of BHT for 10 hours using a GPC analyzer (PL-GP220), and the sample with a concentration of 10 mg/10 mL was supplied in an amount of 200 μL. Mw and Mn were obtained using a calibration curve formed using a polystyrene standard. 9 kinds of the polystyrene standard were used with the molecular weight of 2000 g/mol, 10000 g/mol, 30000 g/mol, 70000 g/mol, 200000 g/mol, 700000 g/mol, 2000000 g/mol, 4000000 g/mol, 10000000 g/mol.

5) Crystal Relaxation Temperature (CRT)

The crystal relaxation temperature was measured by lowering the temperature to −60° C., maintaining at that temperature for 5 minutes, increasing the temperature to 140° C., and then determining the top of the tan δ curve as the crystal relaxation temperature using dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA).

6) Relaxation Time (s)

The Relaxation time (s) was obtained by measuring a viscosity of the polyethylene at a temperature of 190° C. and at an angular frequency of 0.05 rad/s to 500 rad/s using a rotational rheometer, and then calculating the relaxation time (s) of the polyethylene.

In addition, when the relaxation time (s) measured in this way is smaller than the value obtained from the correlation with MI₅ according to the following Equation 1, which is the value obtained from −0.6622×MI₅+2, the polyethylene is evaluated as “satisfied”. When the relaxation time (s) is equal to or greater than the value obtained from the correlation with MI₅ according to the following Equation 1, the polyethylene is evaluated as “dissatisfied”. T<−0.6622×M+2  [Equation 1]

in Equation 1,

T is the relaxation time of the polyethylene in seconds, and

M is a melt index (MI₅, g/10 min) of the polyethylene measured at a temperature of 190° C. under a load of 5 kg in accordance with ASTM D 1238.

Specifically, the relaxation time of the polyethylene was obtained by measuring a viscosity at a temperature of 190° C. and at an angular frequency of 0.05 rad/s to 500 rad/s using ARES-G2, a rotational rheometer, manufactured by TA Instruments (New Castle, Delaway, USA), and then calculating the relaxation time (s) with the viscosity using a cross model of the following Equation 2. η=η_(∞)+(η₀−η_(∞))/(1+λ×(Shear rate)^(m))  [Equation 2]

in Equation 2,

η is a viscosity of the polyethylene measured at a temperature of 190° C. and at an angular frequency of 0.05 rad/s to 500 rad/s using a rotational rheometer,

η_(∞) is infinite shear viscosity,

η₀ is zero shear viscosity,

the shear rate is a shear rate applied to the polyethylene and is equal to the angular frequency,

λ and m are parameters of fitting a log-log graph in which x-axis is an angular frequency and y-axis is the viscosity η to a cross model of Equation 2,

λ is a relaxation time (s) of the polyethylene, and an inverse of the angular frequency at which the viscosity η begins to decrease, and

m is a slope of the viscosity η in a region where the viscosity η decreases.

TABLE 1 Examples Comparative Examples 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-7 Ml_(2.16) (2.16 kg, 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.16 0.31 0.28 0.15 0.22 0.5 0.24 190° C., g/10 min) Ml₅ (5 kg, 0.21 0.27 0.35 0.46 0.98 1.28 0.63 0.84 1.6 0.98 190° C., g/10 min) Ml_(21.6) (21.6 kg, 2.8 3.5 5.3 4.74 9.70 19.33 6.7 9.0 13.4 9.72 190° C., g/10 min) MFRR (21.6/5) 13.5 13.1 15.2 10.3 9.9 15.1 10.6 10.7 8.4 9.9 Density (g/cm³) 0.948 0.950 0.952 0.952 0.952 0.958 0.950 0.951 0.951 0.950 Mw (×10³ g/mol) 199 192 183 192 188 156 170 165 154 158 MWD (Mw/Mn) 4.1 4.4 4.7 4.5 4.9 8.5 3.3 3.3 3.0 3.2 CRT (° C.) >120 >120 >120 >120 >120 >120 109.3 107.9 103.2 107.7 Content of Mw 2.00 1.95 1.86 2.48 2.24 2.37 1.76 1.32 0.92 1.14 1 × 10⁶ g/mol or more (%) Relaxation 1.4 1.4 1.3 2.7 2.5 2.5 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.9 time (s) Satisfaction with Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied Equation 1

As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that Examples had the high crystal relaxation temperature of higher than 120° C. and the short relaxation time, thereby satisfying the correlation of the above Equation 1, in contrast to Comparative Examples.

Test Example 2

Chlorinated polyethylenes were prepared using the polyethylenes prepared in Examples and Comparative Examples.

[Preparation of Chlorinated Polyethylene]

5000 L of water and 550 kg of high density polyethylene prepared in Example 1-1 were added to a reactor, followed by sodium polymethacrylate as a dispersant, oxypropylene and oxyethylene copolyether as an emulsifier, and benzoyl peroxide as a catalyst. Then, the temperature was raised from 80° C. to 132° C. at a rate of 17.3° C./hr and chlorination was carried out by injecting gaseous chlorine at a final temperature of 132° C. for 3 hours. At this time, the gaseous chlorine was injected while simultaneously raising the temperature and maintaining the reactor pressure at 0.3 MPa, and a total input of chlorine was 610 kg. The chlorinated reactant was neutralized with NaOH for 4 hours, washed again with running water for 4 hours, and finally dried at 120° C. to prepare a chlorinated polyethylene in a powder form.

In addition, chlorinated polyethylenes having a powder form were also prepared in the same manner as described above, using the polyethylenes prepared in Examples 1-2 to 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-7.

As described above, physical properties of the chlorinated polyethylenes of Examples 2-1 to 2-3 and Comparative Examples 2-1 to 2-7 prepared using the polyethylenes of Examples 1-1 to 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-7 were measured by the following method, and the results are shown in Table 2 below.

1) Chlorine Content of CPE (%)

The chlorine content was measured using combustion ion chromatography. Specific measuring devices, conditions and methods are as follows.

-   -   Measuring device: Combustion IC (ICS-5000/AQF-2100H)     -   Measuring method

Combustion temperature: Inlet temperature 900° C., Outlet temperature 1000° C.

Gas flow rate: Ar gas 200 mL/min, O₂ gas 400 mL/min

Amount of moisturization: 0.23 mL/min, internal standard material (PO₄ ³⁻): 20 mg/kg

Absorbent (H₂O₂): 900 mg/kg, absorbent volume: 5 mL, final dilution volume: 17 mL

Column: IonPac AS18 (4×250 mm)

Eluent: KOH (30.5 mM)

Eluent flow rate: 1 mL/min

Detector: Suppressed Conductivity Detector, SRS Current: 76 mA

Injection volume: 100 μL,

Measuring mode: Isocratic

-   -   Experimental method: About 0.01 g to about 0.002 g of a sample         was accurately measured in a sample boat and analyzed by         combustion IC.

2) MV (Mooney Viscosity) of CPE

Wrap a rotor in a Mooney viscometer with a CPE sample and close a die. After preheating to 121° C. for 1 min, the rotor was rotated for 4 min to measure MV (Mooney viscosity, 121° C., ML1+4).

3) Glass Transition Temperature (Tg, ° C.) of CPE

The temperature of a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC, TA2000) manufactured by TA Instruments (New Castle, Delaway, USA) was raised from −70° C. to 150° C. at 10° C./min and maintained at that temperature for 1 min, and then lowered from 150° C. to −70° C. at 10° C./min and maintained for 1 min. The temperature was raised from −70° C. to 150° C. at 10° C./min again (2^(nd) cycle), and the glass transition temperature was measured.

4) Productivity of CPE

Productivity of CPE was evaluated as “good” when the drying time at 120° C. during the preparation of the chlorinated polyethylene is 4 hours or less, and evaluated as “poor” when it exceeds 4 hours. In particular, when the drying time exceeds 4 hours, the morphology of CPE particles is deformed and the porosity is reduced. Considering the input time of raw materials, the chlorination time, and the transfer time, the drying time exceeding 4 hours may be judged that a continuous process is difficult, and an amount of daily production is reduced, which significantly reduces the productivity of CPE.

TABLE 2 Examples Comparative Examples 2-1 2-2 2-3 2-1 2-2 2-3 2-4 2-5 2-6 2-7 Chlorine 35.4 35.8 34.9 35.4 35.6 35.9 34.8 35.2 35.1 34.8 content (wt %) CPE MV (121° C., 100 95 90 100 90 70 100 95 90 95 ML1 + 4) CPE Tg (° C.) −16 −16 −17 −13 −14 0.8 −18 −19 −19 −18 CPE Good Good Good Good Good Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Productivity

As shown in Table 2, it was confirmed that Examples had a low glass transition temperature after chlorination while having superior productivity of CPE in contrast to Comparative Examples.

Test Example 3

Chlorinated polyethylene PVC compounds of Examples 3-1 to 3-3 and Comparative Examples 3-1 and 3-2 were prepared by compounding the chlorinated polyethylenes of Examples 2-1 to 2-3 and Comparative Examples 2-1 and 2-2 prepared from the polyethylenes of Examples and Comparative Examples with polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Specifically, a PVC compound specimen was prepared by compounding 6.5 wt % of the chlorinated polyethylene, 81.6 wt % of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), 3.2 wt % of TiO₂, 4.1 wt % of CaCO₃, and 4.5 wt % of composite stearate (Ca, Zn).

As described above, physical properties of the PVC compounds including the chlorinated polyethylenes prepared from the polyethylenes of Examples and Comparative Examples were measured in the following manner, and the results are shown in Table 3 below.

1) Fusion Time of PVC Compound (s)

A change in torque was measured through a connected rheometer using an extruder while adding 500 g of the above-described mixture containing 6.5 wt % of the chlorinated polyethylene, 81.6 wt % of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), 3.2 wt % of TiO₂, 4.1 wt % of CaCO₃, and 4.5 wt % of composite stearate (Ca, Zn) at 40 rpm and at 160° C. The time at which a constant torque started to be maintained was taken as the fusion time (s) of the PVC compound.

2) Charpy Impact Strength (kJ/m²) of PVC Compound

The charpy impact strength (kJ/m²) of PVC compound was measured at room temperature in accordance with ASTM E23.

TABLE 3 Comparative Examples Examples 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-1 3-2 Fusion time (s) 140 130 120 140 120 Charpy impact strength (kJ/m²) 26 25 24 20 20

As shown in Table 3 above, it was confirmed that Examples had a molecular structure having a narrow weight distribution and a low content of ultra-high molecular weight, thereby having a low glass transition temperature after chlorination. Therefore, in Examples, impact strength of PVC compound was significantly improved and the fusion time was lowered, which facilitates processing. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A polyethylene having a crystal relaxation temperature of 110° C. or more, and a relaxation time satisfying the following Equation 1: T<−0.6622×M+2  [Equation 1] in Equation 1, T is relaxation time of the polyethylene in seconds, and M is a melt index (MI₅, g/10 min) of the polyethylene measured at a temperature of 190° C. under a load of 5 kg in accordance with ASTM D
 1238. 2. The polyethylene according to claim 1, wherein the polyethylene is an ethylene homopolymer.
 3. The polyethylene according to claim 1, wherein the crystal relaxation temperature is 110° C. to 145° C.
 4. The polyethylene according to claim 1, wherein the relaxation time is 2.0 seconds or less.
 5. The polyethylene according to claim 1, wherein the melt index (MI5) is 0.55 g/10 min or less.
 6. The polyethylene according to claim 1, wherein the polyethylene has a melt flow rate ratio (MFRR21.6/5, a value obtained by dividing the melt index measured at 190° C. under a load of 21.6 kg by the melt index measured at 190° C. under a load of 5 kg in accordance with ASTM D 1238) of 10 to
 18. 7. The polyethylene according to claim 1, wherein the polyethylene has a density of 0.947 g/cm³ to 0.954 g/cm³.
 8. The polyethylene according to claim 1, wherein the polyethylene has a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 2 to
 10. 9. The polyethylene according to claim 1, wherein the polyethylene has a content of ultra-high molecular weight that is 10⁶ or more of less than 2.1%.
 10. A method for preparing the polyethylene according to claim 1, comprising the step of polymerizing ethylene in the presence of at least one first metallocene compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1; and at least one second metallocene compound selected from the compounds represented by the following Chemical Formula 3:

in Chemical Formula 1, Q₁ and Q₂ are the same as or different from each other, and are each independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkoxyalkyl, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, C₇₋₄₀ alkylaryl, or C₇₋₄₀ arylalkyl; A₁ is carbon, silicon, or germanium; M₁ is a Group 4 transition metal; X₁ and X₂ are the same as or different from each other, and are each independently halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, a nitro group, an amido group, C₁₋₂₀ alkylsilyl, C₁₋₂₀ alkoxy, or a C₁₋₂₀ sulfonate group; and one of C₁ and C₂ is represented by the following Chemical Formula 2a or 2b, and the other is represented by the following Chemical Formula 2c, 2d or 2e;

in Chemical Formulae 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e, R₁ to R₃₁ and R_(1′) to R_(13′) are the same as or different from each other, and are each independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₁₋₂₀ haloalkyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl, C₁₋₂₀ alkylsilyl, C₁₋₂₀ silylalkyl, C₁₋₂₀ alkoxysilyl, C₁₋₂₀ alkoxy, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, C₇₋₄₀ alkylaryl, or C₇₋₄₀ arylalkyl, provided that at least one of R₉ to R₁₃ and R_(9′) to R_(13′) is C₁₋₂₀ haloalkyl, or two or more of R₁₄ to R₃₁ that are adjacent to each other are connected with each other to form a C₆₋₂₀ aliphatic or aromatic ring unsubstituted or substituted with a C₁₋₁₀ hydrocarbyl group; • represents a site of binding to A₁; and * represents a site of binding to M₁;

in Chemical Formula 3, at least one of R₃₂ to R₃₉ is —(CH₂)_(n)—OR, wherein R is C₁₋₆ linear or branched alkyl and n is an integer of 2 to 6; the rest of R₃₂ to R₃₉ when present are the same as or different from each other, and are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, C₇₋₄₀ alkylaryl, and C₇₋₄₀ arylalkyl, or two or more of R₃₂ to R₃₉ that are adjacent to each other are connected with each other to form a C₆₋₂₀ aliphatic or aromatic ring unsubstituted or substituted with a C₁₋₁₀ hydrocarbyl group; Q₃ and Q₄ are the same as or different from each other, and are each independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkoxyalkyl, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, C₇₋₄₀ alkylaryl, or C₇₋₄₀ arylalkyl; A₂ is carbon, silicon, or germanium; M₂ is a Group 4 transition metal; X₃ and X₄ are the same as or different from each other, and are each independently halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, a nitro group, an amido group, C₁₋₂₀ alkylsilyl, C₁₋₂₀ alkoxy, or a C₁₋₂₀ sulfonate group; and m is an integer of 0 or
 1. 11. The method for preparing the polyethylene according to claim 10, wherein the at least one first metallocene compound is represented by the following Chemical Formula 1-1:

in Chemical Formula 1-1, Q₁, Q₂, A₁, M₁, X₁, X₂, R₃, and R₉ to R₂₁ are the same as defined in claim
 10. 12. The method for preparing the polyethylene according to claim 10, wherein each of the R₉ to R₁₃ and R_(9′) to R_(13′) is independently hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, provided that at least one of R₉ to R₁₃ and R_(9′) to R_(13′) is C₁₋₆ haloalkyl.
 13. The method for preparing the polyethylene according to claim 10, wherein the at least one second metallocene compound is represented by one of the following Chemical Formulae 3-1 to 3-2:

in Chemical Formulae 3-1 to 3-2, Q₃, Q₄, A₂, M₂, X₃, X₄, and R₃₂ to R₃₉ are the same as defined in claim
 10. 14. The method for preparing the polyethylene according to claim 10, wherein each of the R₃₄ and R₃₇ is independently unsubstituted C₁₋₆ alkyl or C₂₋₆ alkyl substituted with C₁₋₆ alkoxy.
 15. The method for preparing the polyethylene according to claim 10, wherein a weight ratio of the at least one first metallocene compound and the at least one second metallocene compound is 65:35 to 75:25.
 16. The method for preparing the polyethylene according to claim 10, wherein the polymerizing is carried out while introducing 35 ppm or less of hydrogen gas based on ethylene content.
 17. A chlorinated polyethylene prepared by reacting the polyethylene of claim 1 with chlorine.
 18. The chlorinated polyethylene according to claim 17, wherein the chlorinated polyethylene has a Mooney viscosity (MV) measured at 121° C. of 85 or more to 140 or less.
 19. A polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composition, comprising the chlorinated polyethylene according to claim 17 and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
 20. The PVC composition according to claim 19, wherein the PVC composition comprises 5 wt % to 20 wt % of the chlorinated polyethylene. 